Flying-machine.



C. C. WORTHINGTON.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. a, 1910.

' Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

4 SHEETB-8HEET 1.

www

C. C. WORTHINGTON.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3, 1910.

v Patented M11213, 11915.

4 sang-sum 2.

C. C..WORTHINGTON.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

C. C. WORTHINGTUN.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICAT'ION FILED SEPT. a, 1910.

Patented Apr 13, 1915.

4" SHEETS-SHEET 4.

CHARLES CAMPBELL WORTHING'ION, OF SHAWNEE, PENNSYLVANIA. I

FLYING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. I3, iWIfi.

Application filed September 3. 1910. Serial No. 580,398.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES C. WORTH- INGTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Shawnee, in the county of Monroe and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flying-Machines, of which the following is a specification. I

My invention relates to aerial navigation, and one of its objects is the provision of an improved flying machine which will maintain its equilibrium during flight and descent, whether being propelled or not and irrespective of sudden or oblique gusts of winds or eddy currents of air.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flying machine which will be able to glide safely on its descent to the earth, or if the engine stops while the flying machine is moving slowly to descend safely by gliding or by a parachute action and without destroying the equilibrium of the machine.

Other objects of the invention will appear in the subjoined description, and the novel combinations will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents somewhat diagrammatically an illustration of my invention, the flying machine being shown in elevation, and showing also the engine, its connections and operating mechanism. Fig. 2 is a front view of the machine shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 4 is a detail view in side elevation and partly in section of part of the mechanism for operating the direction rudders. Fig. 5 is a detail view in front elevation for the mechanism shown in Fig. 4.

Monoplane and biplane flying machines tend to be deflected from their horizontal or lateral positions by currents of air, thereby losing their stability or power to resist a tendency to fall or plunge down. To counteract this tendency movable planes manipulated by the operator and located at the extremities of the wings have been employed but these movable planes require in their manipulation great skill and experience and are often insufiicient to prevent disaster. In a multiplane constructed according to the invention embodied in the present application any tendency to be so deflected from a horizontal or lateral position is prevented by the fixed arrangement of the planes themselves which require no move able devices and no manipulation on the part of the operator who consequently may give his entire attention to the control of the engine and to the operation of the direction and elevating rudders. The floatin or buoyant feature tending to'keep the ying machine in proper equilibrium at all times is thus inherent in the aeroplane structure itself and automatic in its operation. This result is secured by the arrangement on a longitudinal axis of radially disposed planes upon which the pressure of lateral currents are about equally divided between the upper and lower sides of the central axis, so that while these currents may tend to deflect the machine from its course or to make it drift they will not disturb its equilibrium. Or should lateral currents tend to lift the supporting wings on one side of the machine and thus throw it out of equilibrium the fixed vertical plane resists this action and prevents any tendency for the machine to fall sidewise or to be deprived, by the increasing angularity of the wings, of Suficient supporting area. It will be seen that no matter how much the machine may be turned on its axis by disturbing gusts or currents of air there will always be exposed a practical unvarying surface to resist a downward or a sidewise slant-oi fall. Of course the number of these radially disposed planes may be varied to suit the .conditions or size of the flying machine. There may be three or four or more than four. The present invention relates to a particular arrangement of these radial wings or planes with reference tothe central axis and with relation to each other.

In the drawings there is illustrated a long central shaft S, extending from one end to the otherof the flying machine, and suitably supported in a like strong frame designated by the letter B; which latter in turn has suspended, from it in the usual manner skids or wheels, the latter being shown in the drawings, and serving to support the machine along the ground when it is getting ts initial impetus before rising into the air, and these skids or wheels need not be further described for they are of well known construction and have been commonly used.

Secured to this central shaft and extending vertically from both sides of it are the wings or planes A, which consist of strips of cloth or other suitable material, stretched and suitably fastened to the frame. Likewise secured to the frame and extending laterally on both sides of the central axis are two or more series of wings or planes, arranged as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The preferable arrangement is indicated in -Fig. 1, in whic are illustrated two series of lateral plane the one series designated by the letters D, D, and D and the other series by the letters E, E and E It will be observed that the three members of the first series of these lateral wings D, D and D are so disposed that one follows the other in ascending steps and that the members in the second series E, E and E are likewise disposed in steps occupying practically corresponding positions with reference to the axis as the members of the first set. All of the several members of the two series are curved downward from their front to their rear edges in the manner known to those in the art as best to attain proper lifting effect.

he first and last members of each series extend in different directions one from the other, the first being directed downward from the point of connection to the frame B and the other upward, that is to say, D and E are extended downward while D and E are extended upward, the center wings or members D and E being extended horizontally or at right anglesto the central vertical planes. The distance apart. that these supporting planes are placed and their angles with reference to the frame B and their relative position, aswell as their length and width may, of course, bachanged by those skilled in the art without departing from this invention, although I have found that the arrangement shown in the drawings is a convenient and satisfactory one: By this relative location of the planes or wings greater efliciency is secured than if all the wings were disposed on the same plane. Not only do-the lateral planes and vertical plane tend to hold the multi lane in equilibrium, no matter at what spee it may be driven or what the direction of the air currents may be, but the disposition of the wings or supportin members at different levels, is of marked advantage. With a given width the sum of the areasof the several sections give a surface ehuivalent in their aggregate lengths to that of the long continuous plane or wingtsuch as isaused on the well' k nown monoplanes or biplanes, but with the distinction that the extreme length of the continuous plane tends to lateral instability and difiiculty in construction and manipulation, which disadvantages are greatly reduced by employing the subdivided planes of this invention. a

In the construction shown the width of each'wing can be reduced to that which is known to those skilled in the art to be eflicient and by placing the sections as shown in steps each supporting section will meet in its flight an undeflected current of 'air. These sections being arranged at different levels one above the other the current passing under eachof these sectional planes is prevented by this difference in levels from impinging on the next succeeding section. The fourth plane, or in other words, the first section of the second series, is, it is true, placed in a line with the first plane or first section of the first series, but it is far enough removed fromthe first plane to be unaffected by the current from it and far enough below the level of the third plane to be unaffected by the current from it.

The vertical plane or keel marked A should be of sufficient area to counterbalance any tendency of the multiplane to rotate on its central axis under the influence of gusts of wind acting on the supporting wings, and to prevent any tendency to drift unduly sidewise through the action of momentum when in theact of turning. This area ofthe vertical plane should be about equal to the combined areas of the supporting sections or wings, the relative areas of that part of 1 the vertical plane located above the central axis and that part located below the central axis being, however, governed somewhat by the location of the center of gravity of the entire multiplane. I Depending preferably from the central axis of the multiplane are supports for a platform, on which is located the engine F and the operators seat G and the wheel and steering post H. Fuel and water tanks and coolers and other necessary devices may be located in any convenient place on the structure. The engine is connected to the propeller I, preferably located in the forward end of the multiplane, through the medium of a belt or chain or an suitable gearing and the longitudinal sha t.

A rudder for steering the multiplane in a horizontal direction 1s shown in Fig. 1, designated bythe letters R R and is capable of being'manipulated by a system of bell cranks and connecting rodsfrom the steering gear to the pivot of the rudder. These connecting rods .and bell crank levers are best illustrated in Fig.1 of the drawings, in which a rearwardly extending rod T is connected at its forward end to the steering mechanism and through a system of'bell crank levers at its rear end to a pivot U, upon which the rod turns. Lifting planes or horizontal vanes V are provided at each end of the multiplane, and

the drawing, there is shown a side view partly in section and in detail, the means employed for operating the elevating-planes V, in which the steering post W is constructed with a journal X trunnioned in a bracket secured to the platform on the main frame of the machine. Attached to and made part of the journal or trunnion X is a crank L, on which are attached the rods 0, O, which are pivoted respectively to the double elbow levers N, N, which latter are by means of connecting rods fastened to the pivots of lifting planes V. It will readily be seen that when the steering post is moved away from or toward the operator it will operate on its trunnion and cause crank L to vibrate in an upward-or downward direction. It thus communicates motions to the bell cranks and through the connecting rods gives the necessary motion to the lifting planes V. In the arrangement of the double set of cranks shown, motion is given to the planes V at each end ofthe multiplane, the motion of the planes at one end being contrary or opposite to the motion of the planes at the other end. This greatly facilitates the operation of steering in the vertical direction or of maintaining the longitudinal equilibrium of the machine. Within the lower end of the steeringpost is placed a universal joint, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, connected with the rod W which passes through this steering post from the steering wheel above. By means of this universal joint, when the wheel is turned in a direction to ward the rightor left the turning action is communicated to the. crank M, shown in Figs. 4: and 5, and the latter, that is, the crank, vibrates the connecting rod T, and thus operates the bell cranks which are connected to the pivot of the rudder R, and finally inturn manipulates the rudder in the desired-direction in a manner common to such mechanism. This rudder lit can also be duplicated, one being placed at each end, their motions being contrary or opposite one to the other as in the case of the lifting planes V. The method of connectin the two so as to communicate this motion eing practically the same as that above described in reference to the lifting plane.

It will be observed by an inspection of the drawings that in the specific embodiment of my invention thecentral vertical plane is substantially continuous from one end of the machine to the other, and that the upper and lower edges of'this longitudinal vertical plane are substantially arallel. The lateral planes extend directly omthe thin vertical plane and are arranged in stepped series. The lower forward plane of each stepped series extends "downwardly from the vertical plane near the axis of the" machine. The central plane of each stepped series extends horizontally from the longitudinal axis of efi'ect on the entire machine, while at the same time increasing the stability of, the machine. Each laterally extending plane is curved, as indicated in Fig. 1, to increase the lifting eflect, the aggregate of a plurality of lifting planes being greater than 7 that of a single plane of the aggregate area. The lateral planes bisect the vertical longitudinal planes and are near the longitudinal axis, so that the lateral planes can be secured in proper position with maximum rigidity. It is therefore evident that the comparatively large longitudinal vertical plane will minimize dangerous swerving of the flying machine sidewise, and also facilitate steering of the machine in the course desired.

=ll-laving thus described the principle of operation of the invention, together with one mechanism for carrying the sameinto efl'ect, I wish it to be understood that many changes may be made in the details without departing from the spirit of the invention and these changes will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art, and therefore it is unnecessary to encumber the specification with an attempted recitation of all of them.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: Q

1. In a flying machine, the combination with a longitudinal vertical plane having a substantially continuous surface, and a stepped series of lifting planes extending laterall from said vertical plane, the forward p ane of each stepped series being inclined downwardly, the rear planes being inclined upwardly and the central lanes extending horizontally, each of said lifting planes being connected to the longitudinal axis between the upper and lower edges of the longitudinal vertical plane.

2. A flying machine comprising a vertical plane, and lateral planes arranged in series longitudinally of the vertical plane and each plane extending from the central portion of said vertical plane.

3. A flying machine comprising a central longitudinal vertical plane, series of planes extending laterally. from the central portion of said vertical plane, one series on each side thereof, said lateral planes being stepped successively fromthe front toward the rear.

l A flying machine, comprising a plural ty of lifting planes, a vertical plane separating pairs of said lifting planes, said lift- I, ing planes extending from the central longi- 'tudinal portion of said vertical plane in different directions and arranged in series steppedfupwardly from the front toward the rear;

A flying machine comprising a vertical longitudinal plane, of a plurality of lateral planes arranged in progression longitudinally of the vertical plane and extending from the central portion of said vertical I plane, each of the progressive lateral planes located above the immediately preceding plane, and extendingin directions at angles to each other.

6. The combination, in a flying machine, of an approximately vertical plane of small thickness, planes arranged in series. longitudinally along the central portion of said vertical plane and each extending laterally from the longitudinal central portion-of said vertical plane, the individual lateralplanes on each side ofthe vertical plane arranged at .various levels. 7

.7. The combination in a flying machine, of an approximately vertical plane with supaorting means composed of a plurality of series of sections, each series comprising-individual sections arranged at different levels with reference to each other and each extending laterally from the central longitudi nal. portion of said vertical plane, and the individual sections of one series corresponding in position with the individual sections of the other series in the same progression.

8. The combination, in a flying machine,

of a vertical centrallongitudinal plane, lateral planes extending from both sides of said vertical plane, each of said lateral planes being divided into sections, the individual sections being arranged at different positions longitudinally of the vertical plane and at dilferent levels with respect to each other, and the firstand third sections of a series extending in a different direction with respect to each other.

9. The combination, in a flying machine, with a continuous vertical plane, of a lateral plane divided into sections in a series of three, the first section of which extends.

tral portion of said vertical plane, each successive section of each wing being arranged at a lower elevation than its next'succeedmg section from the front toward the rear, the

front section of each wing being at the lowplane in a plurality of series of sections, each series comprising several sections placed progressively one above the other, the front section being on the lowest level.

12. The combination, in a flying machine, of an approximately vertical thin plane, with a lateral plane bisectin said vertical plane, and angularly exten ing planes at higher and lower elevations than said lateral plane and located forwardly and rearwardlyof said lateral" plane.

7 13. The combination in a flying machine, of an approximately vertical plane bisected by a lateral plane or wing. composed of a plurality of series of sections arranged progressivel-y ahead of one another, each series comprising individual sections arranged at different elevations I with respect to each other, and the individualsections of one series corresponding in position with the individual sections of the other series in the same progression.

14. The combination in a flying machine, with a vertical plane, of a lateral plane divided longitudinally of the-machine into sections, each section arrangediat a different level with respecttothe. other and each section of a series extending in a different direction with respect to the others.

15. The combination in afiying machine, with a vertical plane, of a' lateral plane divided into sections in a series of three in stepped relation, the first section of which extends downwardly on each side of its center and the third section of which extends upwardly on each side of its center, while the intermediate section-i extends horizontally on both sides of the'axis and between the other two sections.

16. The combination in a flying machine, of lateral wings or planes inrseries longitudinally of said machine and a vertical wing or plane bisecting said lateral planes having an area approximately equal to the aggregate area of the said series of lateral planes.

17. The combination in-a' flying machine, of lateral wings or planes in series longitudinally of said machine, a plane arranged vertically and longitudinally to bisect said lateral planes and having an area corresponding approximately to the aggregate area of the said series of lateral planes.

18. The combination, in avflying machine, with a vertical plane, of lateral planes divided transversely of the machine into separated sections and extending directly all til

meaaaa from both sides of said vertical plane, the

sections of said lateral planes having an aggregate surface area approximating the surface area of said vertical plane.

19. The combination, in a flying machine, with a vertical plane extending lengthwise of the machine, and a plurality of lateral planes extending from both sides of said vertical plane arranged in series longitudinally along the central portion thereof and having an aggregate Surface area corresponding approximately to that of the vertical plane.

20. The combination, in a flying machine surface area of that portion of the vertical plane located above the central axis approximating one-half the surface area of said lifting lanes.

22. In a yin machine, the combination with a vertical p ane, a central am's bisecting said vertical plane, a-series of lateral planes extending from the central portion of said vertical plane along both sides thereof, said vertical plane having a length corresponding to the aggregate width of a series of lateral planes on either side of said vertical plane. v

23. In a flying machine, the combination with a central axis extending longitudinally, of a vertical plane bisected b said central axis, a series of separated p anes on each side of said central axis and extending laterally from the central portion of sai vertical plane, the surface area of that portion of the vertical plane located above said central axis approximating the aggregate sur-,

face area of the series of planes on either side of said vertical lane.

24. A flyingmaclnne, comprising" a longi- I tudinal axial plane, a series of planes on each side of said longitudinal axial plane along the central portion thereof and extending from said axial-plane to form on ceding plane successively, to form aseries of lane, a plurality of planes on each side of the axis extending upwardly from the front toward the rear, and means for propelling and steering the machine. v

26. In a flying machine, the combination of a vertical plane provided with a central longitudinal axis, of a series of planes located at higher elevations successively and back of the next preceding plane successively from front toward the rear on each side horizontally of said axis.

27. A flyin machine comprising a vertical plane an lateral planes symmetrically arranged horizontally with respect to said vertical plane and stepped in series relation each side of the central longitudinal portion of said vertical plane.

28. In a flying machine, the combination of a vertical plane having a longitudinal axis along its central portion, and a plurality of series of stepped planes'extending from said vertical plane at and near said axis, each series having their planes stepped upwardly from the front toward the rear.

29. In a flying machine, the combination with a vertical plane extendin longitudinall of a plurality of series 0 planes extending laterally from said vertical plane along the centra-l'longitudinal portion thereof, the planes of each series being arranged in angular progression from the front toward the rear, and the series of lanes on each side of the vertical plane eing var-.4

ranged symmetrically with respect to the series on the opposite side of said vertical plane, and propelling and steering mechanism.

30. In a flying machine, the combination with a vertical plane extending longitudinally, of a pluralityof series of planes'extending from the sides of said vertical plane and stepped from the front toward the rear in each series, the successive series on each side of the vertical plane being arranged longitudinally, and the lateral planes on both sides of the vertical plane being arranged symmetrically, the foremost lateral plane of each series extending downwardly from the central portion of said vertical plane, and the last lateral plane of each se ries extending upwardly from the central portion of said vertical plane, while the intermediate lateral planes extend horizontally, andmeans for propelling and steering the machine. each side of the latter an upwardly extend= 31. In a flying machine, an approximately vertical plane, a lateral plane bisecting said vertical plane, and additional lateral planes in stepped relation with said first named lateral plane extending to higher and lower elevations than the first named lateral plane, and at difl'erent angles tosaidvertical plane from that of the said first named lateral plane.

the surface area of either side of said vertical plane.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of 15 two subscribing witnesses, on this 26 day of August A. D. 1910. q

CHARLES CAMPBELL WORTHINGTON- Witnesses:

GEO. B. METZGAR,(- M. H. DAVIS. 

